Crowell & Moring International hires Geralyn Ritter as CEO

Crowell & Moring International (CMI), a Washington, DC-based government relations and public affairs consultancy, has hired Geralyn Ritter as chief executive officer.

Ritter succeeds Robert Holleyman, who is retiring in March. The former ambassador led CMI for the past seven years.

Ritter brings 25+ years of business, legal, and government experience to CMI, an affiliate of law firm Crowell & Moring LLP. She has extensive experience across pharmaceuticals, healthcare, international trade, global public policy, and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG).

“Geralyn not only brings extraordinary credentials that will benefit our clients as they seek to drive change across a broad array of issues, but she was a client of CMI and understands the value of the multi-lateral work and impact that this widely respected global policy and advocacy firm has had since its founding three decades ago and continues to have today," said Philip Inglima, chair of Crowell & Moring LLP.

Ritter joins CMI from Organon, a healthcare company that spun off from Merck in 2021, where she was EVP for corporate affairs, sustainability, and ESG. Before that, she spent 13 years with Merck, serving as SVP & corporate secretary and SVP for global public policy and corporate responsibility.

Earlier in her career, Ritter was VP for international affairs at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and trade counsel at Covington & Burling.

She has a law degree from Stanford University, a master’s degree in international economics and European studies from The Johns Hopkins University, and a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from Duke University.

“This is an exciting opportunity to lead a firm with an established global brand known for solving issues at the intersection of public policy, law, politics, and business," Ritter said. "CMI's work in areas such as healthcare, international trade and investment matters, and the digital economy has influenced change that extends from the highest levels of government to patients and customers."

Founded in 1987, CMI provides strategic business advice, market access, coalition building, stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and geopolitical analysis services to clients around the world. The firm has more than 30 employees, according to LinkedIn, and offices in DC, Singapore, and Hong Kong.